Post-hole digger



(No Model.)

J, H. HUMPHREY.

POST HOLE BIGGER,

No. 368,745.- Patented May 24, 1887.

Inventor,

M'lmas as,

N PETERS, Pholo-Lilhognpher, Wuhlnglan. 0,0.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES H. HUMPHREY, OF PLATTE CITY, MISSOURI.

POST-HOLE DIGGER,

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No, 363,745, dated May 24, 1887.

Application filed January 10, 1587. Serial No. 223,967. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern: I

Be it known that I, J AMES H. I'IUMPHREY, a citizen of the United States, residing in Platte City, in the county of Platte, in the State of Missouri, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Post-Hole Diggers, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact specification.

The object of my invention is to remove the earth quickly and easily from the digger, and when digging to assist it in retaining very wet or dry earth. The machine for accomplishing this consists of the grip A, the lever B, the disk-rod O, and the disk D, all as hereinafter described and set forth.

Figure 1 shows a side view, the cylinder G being shown in section, the dotted lines indicating the operation ofmy improvement. Fig. 2 shows front View of digger. Fig. 3 shows sectional view of the grip, taken on line a a, and the manner of fastening it to the handle of digger, &c.

Similar letters indicate the same parts in all the figures.

The lever B, Figs. 1, 2, and 3, turns on the thimble I, Fig. 3, which is supported by the bolt I-I, Figs. 1, 2, and 3. The disk-rod O is pivoted to the lever B at J, Figs. 1 and 2, the other endof the rod 0 being made fast to the head or disk D, Figs. 1 and 2. The rod 0 is bent in such a manner that it passes over the head of the bolt H and under the arch of the handle F, so as to admit of direct pressure on the head or disk D, as shown in Fig. 2. A projection, E, on the handle of the lever B allows said lever to pass into the space between handle F and the rod 0 just far enough to lock said lever in place, so it will be out of the way when digging, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

The digger is filled by plunging it into the ground, the dirt being packed by coming in contact with the inverted concave head D, so that the dirt adheres to the sides of the cylinder while being lifted out. Thisdirt is then removed by lifting the lever B, as shown by the dotted line K in Fig. 1, which forces down the head D.

The manner of fastening my improvement to the digger is by a device which I designate as a grip, and which is shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3. In the sectional view, Fig.3, A is a band of iron or other suitable material which nearly surrounds the handle F, the two ends projecting beyond the handle far enough to allow the bolt H to pass through and bind it tightly against the handle F, one end of said grip being bent at right angles, so as to abut against the other. A thimble, I, on the bolt H forms the bearing for the lever B, and also prevents the bolt H from pinching said lever against the grip, all as herein described and set forth. a

I am aware that it isnot new to provide the handle and cylinder of a post-hole digger with a lever, rod, and disk. I am also aware that a rigid handle has been clamped upon the handle of a hoe, and I only claim in this connection my peculiar construction shown, in which the lever B is fulcrumed and freely swings upon the same bolt, H, which clamps the grip upon rod F.

\Vhat I claim as my invention, and wish to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. The combination, with the handle F and the rod 0, carrying disk D, of the grip A, the bolt H, passing through the grip and clam-ping it upon the handle, and the lever B, fulcrumed to move freely on bolt H, and having its end connected to rod 0, substantially as shown and described.

2. The combination, with handle F and rod 0, of the grip A, passing around the handle, and having one end bent at right angles to form an abutment for the other end, the bolt H, passing through the two sides of the grip and clamping it upon the handle, and the lever B, fulcrumed on bolt H and connected to rod 0, substantially as shown and described.

3. The combination, with handle F and rod 0, of the grip A, the bolt H, passing through the grip, the thimble I, and the lever B, fulcrumed on said thimble and connected to the rod 0, substantially as shown and described.

JAMES H. HUMPHF-EY.

\Vitnesses:

JOHN W. CHAPLAIN, Gno. A. Sroonnn. 

